THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 123 



fence of oak posts and rails, leaning over towards the meadow, and 

 rendered additionally difficult of access by a deep ditch on that side. 

 Within the fence, two rows of common privet, and Lombardy poplars 

 twenty feet apart. On this side there are no standard privets, as 

 we desire as free a range as possible for the eye over the open 

 country. On the third side, which is seen from the house, and abuts 

 only on a field path, there is a fence of posts and rails, poplars at 

 twenty feet, two rows of holly next the rails, and one row of ever- 

 green berberry, Berheris aqidfolium, inside the hollies, forming a 

 dense screen. On the fourth side is a mixed shrubbery, forming 

 the boundary that way of the pleasure garden. 



The boundaries being defined, we proceed to consider how far 

 drainage is needed. It matters not what the staple may be, if it is 

 water-logged periodically, and retains water for any length of time, 

 drainage will not only improve it, but operate like magic in increas- 

 ing its productiveness and rendering it suitable for many forms of 

 vegetation that will not thrive on cold damp land. If it be possible, 

 the whole of the drains should be carried under walks, and if neces- 

 sary they should be taken direct, or as direct as possible, to the 

 natural outfall. In most cases, a main drain formed of a pipe six 

 inches in diameter should be laid along the lower side of the ground 

 opening to the outfall, and the other drains communicating with it 

 should be formed of half-pipe and sole, or three-inch whole pipe, 

 with sole attached, and all connections should be made by turning 

 the pipe slightly in the direction of the flow in the main, because 

 water does not easily turn at a right angle, and a quick removal 

 without conflict is required. The depth of the drains will depend 

 upon the set of the land and the nature of the outfall, but a depth 

 of two feet is better than a depth of one foot, and a depth of three 

 feet better still. The result will be the more satisfactory if the 

 channels are cut with a firm bottom by an experienced workman, 

 and filled in over the pipes with chalk, or limestone, or shale, or 

 brickbats. If you cannot command hard stufl^ for the purpose, use 

 brushwood, for when covered with earth and left undisturbed, it is 

 scarcely to be spoken of as a perishable substance, and it greatly 

 facilitates the downward passage of water to the pipes. In heavy 

 low-lying clay lands where moles abound, it is often necessary to lay 

 shallow drains, because of the small fall obtainable. In such a case, 

 pipes of one inch bore are to be preferred, and the distance may range 

 from twelve to twenty feet. In lighter soils, in which deeper drains 

 may be laid, they may be thirty to sixty feet apart, and the last- 

 named measure answers well for dividing walks, so that walks and 

 drains may go together, leaving sixty-feet plots between, which may 

 be again divided into beds and quarters. S.H. 



The Metropolitan Flokai. Society will hold an exhibition of Dahlias, Gladioli, 

 and other autumn flowers, at the Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill, on Tuesday and 

 Wednesday, August 24 and 25. 



L. v., Ireland. — Seeds of 'the Egg-plants, reported on in April, 1874, were 

 obtained from Mr. Bull, New Plant Merchant, King's Koad, Chelsea, London. 



April. 



